Bhujangi: Beyond the Ten Days

posted by Jakara Movement | 1197pc
July 27, 2013

Bhujangi Youth Academy has a special dear place in my heart. This camp in many ways is a personal conversation between my few Sikh camp experiences as a youth, as well as an opportunity to create a safe place for young men to explore, grow, and be inspired.

I don’t remember too many Sikh camp experiences, but all my memories seemed to be around the ‘panga’ (trouble) we took and friendships formed during the summer, rather than any of the content. In fact, most of my memories were of a rather strict agenda with classes that rarely piqued my interest. Still the group spirit and dynamics left all with a strong sense of Sikh identity and excitement.

Now fast-forward some 20 years later and it is our turn. What were some of our criticisms of those camps?

INCLUSIVENESS - We never felt they engaged with all sections of the community. Parents of keshadhari youth sent their young sons to these camps, but the vast majority of the youth that did attend the local Gurdwara camps, did not. How could we engage with this larger section of community?

EXPLORATION - I remember a sense of fear from the adults of the camp that I intended. Though they were all well-meaning and kind spirits individually, fear was a pervading feeling in how they wish to impart learning about the Gurus. This especially was unsettling later, when I realized the pure love and beauty that the Gurus had for his Sikhs. How could we create an environment of inclusiveness, brotherhood, fraternity, and group-learning, rather than disciplinarianism, without compromising on the importance of discipline?

SIKH VALUES - How can we focus on Sikh values and inspiration in an environment that encourages questions, exploration, and self-learning rather than rote orders?

CONSISTENCY - While all of us that attended those camps growing up, enjoyed them, we all went back to our own lives soon after and had to wait until the following year to see or relive the experience. Is there another way to keep the spirit ongoing rather than merely annual?

At the Jakara Movement, we thought the answer to all of these questions should be - YES! The Bhujangi Youth Academy is our work-in-progress. Starting in 2011, we wanted to create an extended boys camp. In the past 3 years, attendance has doubled every year and we have better created a more comprehensive curriculum.

This year, for 10 days, 22 young Bhujangis came together to learn paath, explore their heritage in various classes, be pushed to their limits through physical activities, and learn the value of teamwork, brotherhood (Guru bhaichaara), and loyalty through various challenges/rewards.

On Exploring Nitnem

The young men were woken up at 6am and ready for morning Nitnem by 7am. 5 groups (Khanda, Kirpan, Baaj, Degh, and Bhujangi) had counselors that supervised their younger members in learning the basics of taking care of themselves, cleanliness, hygiene, and responsibility. Nitnem was not focused on repetition and rote memorization, but rather meaning, questions, and understanding. For many of the Bhujangis this experience included the first time they had done paath, tied a daster, or even owned a Nitnem pothi.

Heritage and Skills

The first class of the day was history. Rather than taking an ‘overview of Sikh history’ centered around the learning factual minutia of each Guru, we took the approach to go into depth around the life of Guru Gobind Singh. Classes were titled “Guru Gobind Singh: the early years” and encouraged youthful exploration and treating all with respect (more than mere tolerance); “Guru Gobind Singh: Feelings of Loss” that focused on feelings of loss and emotions tied to it, especially around the loss of a parent; “Guru Gobind Singh: Scholars Par Excellence” that encouraged young Sikhs to explore the arts and strive to be their best; “Guru Gobind Singh: Warrior-Poet” that explored poetry, physical fitness, and nutrition; “Guru Gobind Singh: Unconditional Love” that explored the story of the Chali Muktay and what is the meaning of ‘unconditional love.’ Classes included the bhujangis getting to feel and even try on, real armor from the period, including a 19th century Sikh helmet, a 17th century Mughal helmet and shield, and 18th century arm protectors. Classes on Gurmukhi had the bhujangis reading within 1 week! Emotional-growth classes explored anger-management, nutrition, gratitude, unconditional love, depression, alcoholism, and relationships with women. Life-skills classes taught the young bhujangis how about tying a tie, wrapping gifts, folding laundry, and other basic quotidian skills.

Physical Fitness

Team sports were a part of everyday existence at Camp Bhujangi. Basketball and football were part of the norm, but so were ‘desi games’ like Bandar qila and ooch-neech. Swimming was a favorite as the bhujangi explored the nearby potholes. Military march and drilling were also part of the curriculum. With 3 Sikh-Marines as part of the staff, they taught the boys the importance of posture, discipline, attention, and teamwork.

Team Challenges

Part of the curriculum of the camp is to take a string of strangers and turn them into a band of brothers. The first team challenge was kayaking, which for many of the boys, involved their breaking their fear of swimming and the water. Once completed, they earned their bhujangi colors, a scarf/siropa to symbolize their collective bravery. Later they undertook the puzzle challenge, which this group learned the value of sacrifice, and cheered each other on in chardikala for the “hike of death”, a twelve-mile hike 2 miles above sea-level that tested our bhujangis’ grit. They were rewarded for their efforts with a day full of paintball. Other challenges included Marine-level cleanliness, which included upkeep of living spaces and bathrooms, which sometimes had to be cleaned and re-cleaned, until it met Marine-standard.

Ten Days

With the completion of the ten days, we had a farewell lunch with pizza and presented the final earning of the Bhujangi shirts.

The Next 355 Days

As important as the ten days of camp, is the next 355 days. So the Jakara Movement has its own strategy to keep the bhujangis engaged with their community. Throughout California, we have been creating local chapters (misls) that host monthly events, including educational camps for children, workshops, and homeless feedings.

For High School age boys – we offer:

Free SAT courses in October (in Fresno, Orange County, and Yuba City)

Seva opportunities to fulfill High School ‘service-learning hours’ requirements

Letters of Recommendation based on their commitment to seva, which are necessary for college applications

College Application Assistance – the Jakara Movement has members at all major US universities, who are willing to mentor other Sikh boys in preparation for their college application

For pre-High School age boys – we offer:

Annual Jakara Juniors Camp – every year in October and April, the Jakara Movement hosts camps on relevant topics to inspire the ‘next generation of Sikhs’ to learn about their culture. We hold these camps at over 15 Gurdwaras in California.

Various seva opportunities that are age-appropriate!

Next up for the Bhujangis!

To keep the boys connected to the Jakara Movement and to one another, we are planning the following events:

JAKARA SPORTS DAY – Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 10-3pm meet us at Victoria Park on Clinton/Brawley for football (non-contact), basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and desi games.

BHUJANGI REUNION PICNIC - Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Fig Garden Loop Park (Fresno, CA) from 4-6pm. Please join us with your boys at the park. For more information call Naindeep at 559-647-4700.

BHUJANGI REUNION MARCH - Saturday/Sunday, November 2-3 at Yuba City Nagar Kirtan, we will be holding a Bhujangi reunion and will showcase the Bhujangis marching drill abilities. We will arrange rides and stay with local families for the weekend. We hope you will all join us for the Nagar Kirtan weekend.

JAKARA JUNIORS CAMP - October 2013 – on dates “to be announced” the Jakara Movement will be hosting its one-day “Jakara Juniors Camps” at all major Gurdwaras in Fresno and the Bay Area. We hope your Bhujangi will join us, either as a participant or as a counselor.